Gifts Today magazine

Trends Take Three at Exclusively

This year’s London-based Exclusively Housewares and new Exclusively Electrical show in June will once more deliver on-trend expertise with the help of Scarlet Opus

Trend forecasting agency Scarlet Opus will be helping visitors to this year’s Exclusively Housewares and new Exclusively Electrical show by identifying products they feel are good examples of forthcoming trends.

“Mid-way through the year is a good time for retailers to take a fresh look at their stores, start thinking ahead to the busy Christmas sales period and get their eye in on what trends will be dominating the coming seasons,” says show director Simon Boyd.

“We’ve asked the Scarlet Opus team to review all the products our exhibitors are putting forward for the Show Preview, and all the gift ideas they’ve come up with for our Christmas Shopping promotion, to identify those products they think are good examples of ‘On Trend’ items.

“Their selection will be highlighted by our new ‘On Trend’ icon, so that our visitors can share their view.”

Scarlet Opus has already revealed some hints and tips to exhibitors to get them thinking about which of their products to put forward for inclusion in the Preview. For example, their advice for Christmas 2015 was for suppliers to ‘Explore ways in which to combine natural qualities with luxurious qualities for a ‘Nature Luxe’ style’.

“This will include elements with reference to historical glamour and archive designs, textures and shapes found in nature, artisanal skills and craft techniques, blonde wood tones and lace patterns and marbleised effects. The colour palette focus for this time of year is ‘dusted-off pastels including blush and peach tones, and stucco greys’. The aim is to achieve a balance between rawness and refinement,” said Victoria Redshaw, lead futurist, and founder of Scarlet Opus.

Their tips for spring/summer 2016 included a timely reminder that it’s going to be an Olympic Summer! They encouraged suppliers to ‘Explore the flavours of Rio - it’s a melting pot of cultural influences - Copacabana beach scene, the carnival spirit and the lush Amazonian rainforest of Brazil. Colours should be used in upbeat, lively combinations - a colour rush, for example rich red and hot pink or amazon green and toucan yellow!’

The Scarlet Opus team will be in attendance at this year's show; they will create a display of specially prepared trend mood boards - incorporating relevant product shots from the show. Visitors will be able to view the display and talk to the team about how they work, and sit in on their trends presentation, which will take place on Wednesday morning, June 10, the second day of the shows.

Exclusively Housewares and Exclusively Electrical are free to visit for bona fide trade buyers. All visitors will be well looked after, with free refreshments, including lunch, on offer.Buyers interested in visiting either show can register their interest online via www.exclusivelyhousewares.co.uk or www.exclusivelyelectrical.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)121 237 1130.